Declare Black Maternal Health Day

April 17, 2018, as Black Maternal Health Day in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious health issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 17, 2018, as Black Maternal Health Day in the State of New York; and WHEREAS, The inaugural National Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW) campaign, founded and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, is a week of awareness, activism, and community building; and WHEREAS, Intended to increase attention in the State of Black maternal health in the U.S., the root causes of poor maternal health outcomes, and community-driven policy, program, and care solutions; and WHEREAS, In addition, it serves as a national platform for Black women-led entities and efforts on maternal health, birth justice, and reproductive justice, including African immigrant and Afro Latin groups; and to enhance community organizing on Black maternal health via community conversations, events, and outreach; and WHEREAS, The United States spends more on health care than any other country, it has among the worst disparities in maternal health outcomes, and is on the opposite track for improving maternal health with its mortality rates increasing between 1990 and 2013; and WHEREAS, Maternal Health challenges are clearly linked to disparities in women's access to high quality health care, social determinants of health such as poverty and racism, and other needed resources before, during, and after pregnancy that have a cumulative impact on women's bodies; and WHEREAS, These disparities and challenges particularly affect Black women who are up to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes, and more than twice as likely to experience severe maternal morbidity compared to white women; and WHEREAS, Black women experienced 40.4 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to 12.1 deaths per 100,000 lives for white women; and WHEREAS, These deaths have devastating effects on Black women's children and families, and the vast majority is entirely preventable through assertive efforts to ensure Black women can access information, services, and supports to make their own health care decision particularly around pregnancy and childbearing; and WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater equitable access to prevention, early identification, and effective treatment services that are delivered in appropriate care setting to improve Black women's chronic health conditions and maternal health; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 17, 2018, as Black Maternal Health Day in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.